TEL AVIV – Iconic British rock band Queen are the latest musicians to tell the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement where to shove it by announcing their debut performance in Tel Aviv with Adam Lambert as lead singer.
Following in the footsteps of other musicians who have defied BDS, including Alice Cooper, Santana, South African duo Die Antwoord, Pharell Williams, SIA, and Jennifer Lopez – all of whom announced concert dates in Israel – Queen’s original band members guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor will join The Voice judge Lambert at Park Hayarkon on September 12.
May and Taylor first performed with Lambert in 2009 on American Idol when he was a contestant on the show. Since 2011, they have regularly performed together and last month launched a tour of 15 music festivals all over Europe.
Lambert received critical acclaim as one of the only contemporary singers who can do justice to the legacy of the band’s late front man, Freddie Mercury, who died of AIDS in 1991.
“I am excited to perform with Queen in Tel Aviv for the first time, and we’re looking forward to giving everyone a show to remember,” Lambert said.
May expressed his excitement about performing in Israel.
“This is an amazing opportunity at last to bring Queen music live to thousands of folks who have been devoted to our music for years. Can’t wait,” May said.
The band will play all-time hits like “Another One Bites the Dust,” “Fat Bottomed Girls,” “Killer Queen,” “Don’t Stop Me Now,” “Somebody to Love,” “Under Pressure,” “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” “I Want to Break Free,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Will Rock You,” “We Are the Champions,” and more.
Infamous Israel basher and Pink Floyd front man Roger Waters has for years been engaged in a crusade to prevent artists from performing in Israel, with many accusing the musician of bullying tactics to achieve his goal.